Permanent Residence Application
Apply to become a permanent resident, which removes the need to renew your period of stay and lifts most activity restrictions.
Apply to become a permanent resident, which removes the need to renew your period of stay and lifts most activity restrictions.
Steps
- 1Check the latest permanent-residence guidelines and confirm you meet them.
- 2Prepare extensive documents on your income, tax, and pension / insurance payment history.
- 3Submit to your regional immigration bureau; screening is thorough and can take 6 months or more.
What to bring
- Passport and residence card
- Application for permanent residence
- Proof of income and tax payment (tax certificates, etc.)
- Pension and social-insurance payment records
- Documents about your guarantor
Official sources
Information, not advice
This guide is general information only — not legal, administrative, tax or other professional advice, and not a filing service. Rules and procedures can change; always confirm with the official window or website. For your specific situation, consult a licensed professional or contact the relevant government office directly.
This procedure can carry legal consequences. For your own case, consider consulting a licensed 行政書士 (administrative scrivener) or the Immigration Services Agency.
Related guides
Converting a Foreign Driver's License
Convert a valid foreign driver's license to a Japanese one at a prefectural license center, with part of the exam waived. You must have stayed 3+ months in the issuing country after getting the license.
Mobile Phone Contract
Sign up with a mobile carrier or low-cost SIM (MVNO). By law you must verify your identity, so bring your residence card; some carriers also need a Japanese payment method.
Opening a Bank Account
Open a Japanese bank account for salary, rent, and bills. You'll usually need a residence card and a registered address; some banks ask for 6+ months of stay.